Understanding the Fundamentals of the Industry The purpose of this article is to give other experts facing the challenge of completing a valuation of a Bitcoin mining facility some of the fundamental characteristics needed to understand the operations and assign value. A few months back I received a call from a potential client looking for a valuation of bitcoin mining company for purposes of a prenuptial agreement. I excitedly said “yes” I would love the engagement, very candidly telling the client that I had not valued one in the past but that I was part of an amazing organization, the…
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A Minimalist’s Suggestion on How to Lose the Boilerplate What level of detail should valuation analysts include in a detailed report? In this article, the author shares six practices he follows to answer the above question. You probably remember that college professor who said they graded term papers by throwing them down the stairs and giving the ones the farthest down the highest grade. This is how I feel many valuation reports are written. Recently, I was asked by an attorney on a malpractice case to review a valuation report. It looked like a reasonable, professionally done valuation report. But…
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February 2023 In 1748, Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Time is money.” That concept provides the framework for the Florida Court of Appeals decision in Iarussi v. Iarussi. As often happens in marital dissolutions, the parties resolved many of their issues by agreement, but, when it came to the money, they needed the court’s assistance in dealing with the marital value of a privately owned business and claims for spousal support. One particular issue discussed in this article is whether the trial court erred awarding prejudgment interest on the value of a business the husband managed and was awarded in the…
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Foundations for Prevention and Mitigation This article focuses on the professional expertise, processes, and technologies that are needed to mitigate the ever-increasing risk of cyber-attacks and potential business interruptions on companies, organizations, and individuals. The modern security ecosystem is diverse and ever-changing, a place where cyber risk is top of mind for leaders at all levels, and threats to information/data security and privacy evolve at the speed of the technical innovations driving progress. Within this dynamic ecosystem, we are increasingly connected across the globe, where organizations (and individuals) equally face the ever-present threat from cyber-attack. No one is immune and…
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New Year, Neutrality It is incumbent upon those who attempt to become or remain as “thought leaders” to sometimes put some thought into what is written. This said, this 13th article of the Unimpeachable Neutrality Series will cover some of the basics of what exactly “unimpeachable neutrality” is and how it is just as valuable and necessary in 2023. I received a phone call from a distressed member the other day. I could tell they were younger, maybe late 20s. They described a situation that they could not define but I was very familiar with. The member described being in…
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There is a difference between a difficult client and a bad client. In this article, the author shares the distinction between the two and shares his views on how a difficult client can provide valuation professionals a professional growth opportunity. Related to who I choose to work with, I just closed out a valuation that I was engaged to perform. As I usually do, I went through my version of an “after action review” … reflecting on what went well, what did not go well, and what lessons I learned for the next time. When things do not go as…
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To Turn Worthy Dreams into Valuable Legacies This article features an interview where, Nataliya Kalava, CVA, ABV, MAFF, of American Valuations, interviewed Brian Stephens, MBA, CMAP, CVA, CBI, CEPA, of Legacy Business Sales and Acquisitions. Brian’s mission is to inspire and empower great people to turn worthy dreams into valuable legacies. During this conversation, the authors of this article discuss the market sentiment from the perspective of sellers and buyers. Brian shares insights about how sellers think about the value of their business. The authors also share their views on what risk factors and value drivers business brokers consider when…
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Navigating the Data While cryptocurrency has become more common, it has not lost its volatility. This article focuses on the risks of the rapidly growing cryptocurrency marketplace and what tools and capabilities are needed to protect companies from future crises that may emerge. Introduction Fortune favors the brave. That is what many have come to believe as cryptocurrency has soared into mainstream consciousness over these past two years. With cryptocurrency companies spending over $2 billion on advertising via Super Bowl commercials, celebrity endorsements, and even arena purchases (thanks for the memories, Staples Center), it is no wonder that more and…
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Of a Real Estate Centered Entity As business valuation analysts, how many of us have ever agreed to value an equity interest in a gas station, or a hotel, or some other business that operates with real estate as an operating asset? For me, that answer is “frequently.” Yet, over the years my view of how to undertake this type of assignment has changed. These types of businesses deserve more care and understanding than a simple net cash flow divided by some cap rate. As business valuation analysts, how many of us have ever agreed to value an equity interest…
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And Setting Up an Office Creating a checklist may seem boring, but a checklist provides the end-users with a process that enables the business owner and service provider to identify processes that are useful to build and someday sell the company. This article contains such a list. This article provides a guide of the issues that need to be considered by someone starting a business. No opinions are offered or should be inferred. You can use this to advise clients and should also advise them to seek professional guidance and advice where necessary on some of the issues. Introduction Creating…